Product of the Month – Genie Z60FE articulating cherry picker

If you have a piece of cake, it’s also nice to eat it, right?

With our Product of the month for September, you can do just that – because it is the Genie Z60FE articulating all-terrain cherry picker.

Electric aerial platforms are absolutely central to the future of working at height.

It is why Hird has one of the fastest growing fleets of electric mobile elevating working platforms (MEWPs) in the UK.

However, as we’re going through an energy transition process away from internal combustion (thermal) engines towards all-electric machines, there is a case for hedging your bets.

That’s what the Genie Z60FE articulating boom lift allows our customers to do.

Hybrid cherry pickers – the advantages

As a hybrid access platform, with both diesel fuel and electric power options, the Genie Z60FE is two cherry pickers in one machine.

In all-electric mode, it can deliver a full day’s emission-free service on a single battery charge.

In hybrid mode, it will provide a full week of run-time on a single tank of diesel.

This makes the Genie Z60FE the ideal working at height boom lift for increasing sustainability, efficiency and productivity, while also reducing operational costs.

Here is a quick review of the advantages for Hird customers:

Reduced fuel use = reduced costs;
Reduced CO₂ emissions – shrinking carbon footprints;
Happier clients – the Genie Z60FE contributed to their NetZero 2050 commitments as well;
Allowing low-noise and zero-emissions working in regulated or sensitive areas (such as near schools, care homes and hospitals);

Indoor and outdoor working – increasing utilisation and reducing the number of MEWPs hired (less cost, less busy worksites);
The Genie Z60FE has non-marking tyres for indoor working;
Access to the added all-terrain power of full-electric power;
Ultimate operational flexibility with the ability to switch between power sources as circumstance dictates.

Exceptional height working performance

We need to get into some performance figures.

The Genie Z60FE articulating boom has a maximum working height of 20.2m, and a maximum working outreach of 11.15m – with a maximum up and over clearance of 8.83m.

The cherry picker also has a maximum below ground reach of 4.83m.

The Genie Z60FE has a maximum basket capacity of 227kg, which allows two operatives to work together at height with tools.

It has a 1.52m articulating jib, which can rotate through 135° to accurately position operatives for safe and productive working.

The platform’s dual parallelogram system allows the basket to be tracked vertically up and down structures and its fully proportional controls also support smooth and safe performance.

Meanwhile, Genie’s Fast Mast boom system lets operators descend and retrieve materials and return to working height in the shortest possible time, maximising productivity.

Better rough terrain performance

Another key advantage of hybrid power is the additional performance, grunt oomph, call it what you will, delivered in electric mode.

The Genie Z60FE has 45% gradeability, made possible by a four-wheel drive system with independently oscillating axles.

A high-efficiency AC drive system – with an electric motor powering each wheel – enhances the platform’s all-terrain capability still further.

Each motor continuously adjusts the power, torque and speed delivered to each wheel, maximising tyre grip, improving traction and giving operatives a smoother ride.

As the Genie Z60FE is a hybrid platform, its diesel and electric power systems work together to enhance performance and extend working cycles.

For example, the platform’s diesel engine can be used to charge the battery while operating in hybrid mode – and the MEWP has a fast-charger that can charge the battery in just 2.5 hours.

If necessary, the MEWP can also be operated on 110v mains electricity.

Hird’s hybrid cherry picker hire options

Hird can provide hybrid articulating cherry pickers for hire with working heights ranging from 12.2m to 20.8m.

They include the Niftylift Height Rider 15N, which has a maximum working height of 15.4m, and the Genie S60FE, a telescopic cherry picker with a maximum working height of 20.6m.

Hird can also deliver the IPAF Mobile Boom (3b) training course for articulating boom lifts, either at one of our three IPAF-approved training centres or at customer sites, if they are suitable.